Singapore Expats

Hi guys,

I have planned to go to Singapore jobhunting in December. Just a few questions:

1. What is the unemployment situation in Singapore? I mean, is a 6-month period a realistic time span to find a job (I’m a TV Broadcasting Director)?

2. Is there anybody out there who knows how the SWIFT housing program for foreign talent works?

3. Are Jurong and Pasir Ris OK areas to live?

Thanks beforehand. Take care.

GordonGekko wrote:Are Jurong and Pasir Ris OK areas to live?

Thanks beforehand. Take care.

Both are end of the Island. East and West. ^^

Not usually huanted areas... should be quite ok to live in...[/quote]

I took advantage of the SHiFT thingie or whatever it is they call it, for foriegn talents. Quite straightforward if you have all the paperwork listed on their website. They do hold 3 months rent as deposit. So, you have to pay 1st month rent + 3 times rent ( = 4 x rent) when you sign up. If you are a PR, the deposit is 1 month's rent.

Be aware that apartments are absolutely bare. For the kitchen, I had to put up some shelves, tables, a stove and a fridge to be able to use it.

Pasir Ris, where I ended up, is clean and quiet. There is a beach very nearby (Pasir Ris Park) which is quite refreshing. It takes about 45 minutes to get to downtown by public transportation.

Hope this helps.
Blaze

Hey Blaze,

Thanks a bunch for your input! It's kinda hard when you hear about all these opportunities, but no details....Thanks again!

Hey Blaze,

Whose website are you talking about?

In your original post item #2, you mentioned SWIFT. I assumed it was a typo and thought you were referring to SHIFT which is a housing scheme for foreign talents. It is run by JTC and their website with apt listing is this:

http://www.jtc.gov.sg/Housing/apartment ... r+rent.asp

Good luck.

Hi Blaze,

Thanks - I really meant SHIFT, of course. By the way, is this "foreign talent" status you'll get automatically when finding a job or is it something you'll apply for? Thanks again.

GordonGekko wrote:Hi Blaze,

Thanks - I really meant SHIFT, of course. By the way, is this "foreign talent" status you'll get automatically when finding a job or is it something you'll apply for? Thanks again.

I do not know how they reconcile the term "foreign talent". In my case, I showed the employment letter from my foreign employer and that was enough. I got the feeling that they were desperate to rent out their units!

GordonGekko wrote:Hi Blaze,

Thanks - I really meant SHIFT, of course. By the way, is this "foreign talent" status you'll get automatically when finding a job or is it something you'll apply for? Thanks again.

You are correct GordonGekko, the SHIFT program is only for the foreign talents from the goverment.

They just rent out the bare flats and in case you are single need another person to join you to sign the documents and the rentals are quiet normal when compared renting through agent. The advantage is to avoid agent fees and owner trouble.

Once you notify the area's where you want to rent, arrangement will be made if you need to look into the house before finalizing. Documents are very straight forward shouldn't take much of time.

Hope this help'z

Hey there Scorpion,

Thanks for your help! One more question, though: how do I receive this status of "Foreign Talent"? Good to know, as I find this SHIFT program interesting.